as in error
a false idea or belief
the belief that going outside with wet hair will cause you to catch cold is just an old wives' tale
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Recent Examples of old wives' tale
Ольга Симонова/iStock / Getty Images Plus Coffee in the garden isn't just an old wives' tale.
—
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
For the 39 million Americans who suffer from migraines, finding effective relief can be a constant struggle – leading many to test out old wives' tales.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
According to a popular old wives' tale, going to bed with wet hair can lead to catching a nasty cold.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
An old wives' tale says heartburn during pregnancy means your unborn baby has a full head of hair, but many parents with bald babies would strongly disagree.
—Tiffany Eve Lawrence, Parents, 3 May 2024
The idea that breast milk is a cure-all might seem like an old wives' tale, but there's scientific research behind the results Williams is seeing: fresh breast milk has been proven to help with atopic eczema, diaper rash, and a collection of other maladies.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2023
Well, the Germans like a touch of oversteer, and that's no old wives' tale.
—Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 15 Mar. 2023
An old wives' tale that keeping raw, unpeeled onions out will keep your family safe from illnesses such as the flu is making the rounds on Facebook.
—Katie Landeck, USA TODAY, 16 June 2020
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
For the 39 million Americans who suffer from migraines, finding effective relief can be a constant struggle – leading many to test out old wives' tales.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
According to a popular old wives' tale, going to bed with wet hair can lead to catching a nasty cold.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
An old wives' tale says heartburn during pregnancy means your unborn baby has a full head of hair, but many parents with bald babies would strongly disagree.
—Tiffany Eve Lawrence, Parents, 3 May 2024
The idea that breast milk is a cure-all might seem like an old wives' tale, but there's scientific research behind the results Williams is seeing: fresh breast milk has been proven to help with atopic eczema, diaper rash, and a collection of other maladies.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2023
Well, the Germans like a touch of oversteer, and that's no old wives' tale.
—Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 15 Mar. 2023
An old wives' tale that keeping raw, unpeeled onions out will keep your family safe from illnesses such as the flu is making the rounds on Facebook.
—Katie Landeck, USA TODAY, 16 June 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old wives' tale
Noun
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Vehicles included in this recall may have an error in the instrument panel software at startup, failing to show speed, brake system information, and tire pressure warning lights.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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Yes, plenty of errors were made — six of them by shortstop Trevor Story in September alone — but errors are different from gaffes.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The real loss, at the altar of a warped vision of masculinity, is courage and skill, sacrificed so that a few good men can go on measuring themselves against their own hollow myth of toughness.—
Arman Khan,
Them.,
3 Oct. 2025
-
And, in the process, the trio of ’70s babies punctured the myth that rap is a young man’s sport.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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No more division, distraction, or gender delusions.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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She is caught up in a delusion, convinced that her imaginary accomplice Libardo is accusing her of betrayal.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Inter basin transfers created the illusion of abundance.—
Nik Kowsar,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
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In the 21st century, the moral entrepreneurs include media personalities and social influencers as well as the nonhuman bots and algorithms whose authority is derived by constructing the illusion of broad consensus.—
Ron Barrett,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Old wives' tale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20wives%27%20tale. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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